Browse some recent Origin Reviews.
Gene Argel - Luminescent
by Jon K, Amazon
Gene Argel's Luminescent has a core of warmth and understatement that I find so appealing. Argel has picked a stellar group of musicians to join him. Jay Thomas' long-toned, tenor saxophone melodic expressions are always rich and expansive. Chuck Deardorf, bass, and Mark Ivester, drums, are much to be admired, providing an integrated tapestry of support for this collection of tunes.
These confident performances show the art of big-talent,... read more
Metropolitan Jazz Octet - The Bowie Project
by Cedric Hendrix, Cirdec Songs
Speaking of David Bowie, I'm digging on this little ditty from Origin Records. The The Metropolitan Jazz Octet has done a terrific job rearranging a collection of Bowie tunes from rock and pop to jazz. Vocalist Paul Marinaro sings in different ranges than the original tunes, giving them a nice, new flavor.
What I love most is the band spends a decent amount of time on Bowie's Heathen album, which is one of my personal favorites. Well done,... read more
Sam Yahel - From Sun to Sun
by Stuart Kremsky, Cadence
After five albums on which he played only organ, Sam Yahel moved over to the piano bench for his last release on Origin, and he largely stays there for this new session. Yahel, joined once again by accomplished bassist Matt Penman and the ever tasteful drummer Jochen Rueckert, is insidiously charming on the free-flowing "2 Pilgrims" that opens the set. It's the first of ten original compositions by the keyboardist, whose caressing touch at the... read more
Chuck Deardorf - Perception
by Dave Rogers, WTJU
Bassist Chuck Deardorf decided to focus on songs and artists who had influenced him earlier in his career. "Grain Waves" was a song he had composed with Matthew Wilson who plays drums on most of this set. Others include Kenny Barron, Keith Jarrett, Jack DeJohnette, Steve Swallow, Steve Winwood and two by Thelonious Monk. In addition to Deardorf, the main players are Dawn Clement (piano, Wurlitzer, electric piano, synthesizer) and Hans Teuber... read more
Jay Thomas with the Oliver Groenewald Newnet - I Always Knew
by Chris Spector, Midwest Record
Thomas is a throwback to the extent that he is an admirer of the art of the arranger, he gives Groenwald equal billing and room to do whatever it takes to make the trumpeter look good. An obvious fan of jazz's great instrumental balladeers, this set takes it back to the day in spirit and delivers the goods in unequaled fashion. Real jazz for real jazzbo... read more
James Moody - 80 Years Young: Live at the Blue Note, March 26, 2005
by Tom Hull, Tom Hull On the Web
Bebop saxophonist (1925-2010), mostly tenor, also played quite a bit of flute, joined Dizzy Gillespie in 1946 and was a regular in his various bands, while he established his own career with "Moody's Mood for Love" in 1952. He opens this 80th birthday bash singing "Benny's From Heaven," badly at first but so infectiously he won me over. He opened with a solid band -- David Hazeltine (piano), Todd Coolman (bass), and Adam Nussbaum (drums) -- then... read more
Lucas Pino - No Net Nonet
by Hobart Taylor, KUCI, Irvine, CA
Hard driving neo big band music circa 1967, clean as a ghost's underpants. They play original tunes by tenor saxophonist Pino. These New York cats have had a residency at Small's for a while. There's a lot of the intimacy of club playing here, a loose tightness that has a lot of charm. "The Fox", "On The Road" and especially "Orange" really swing and take you back to the excitement of the jagged melodies of bop's second wave.... read more
Chris Walden Big Band - Home Of My Heart
by Ian Lace, MusicWeb International
Walden's virtuoso jazz team plays excitingly, enthusiastically, and they blend, integrate splendidly. The programme has plenty of variety; there is always something to excite and stimulate the ear. The programme opens in high-spirited, up-beat style with Ray Noble's well-known Cherokee that includes some breath-taking solo alto sax and trumpet solos from Jeff Driskill and Kye Palmer. Feet First is another breezy, foot-tapping track with Alan... read more
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